LONG, HOT SUMMER Cows, Farmers Feel Heat
CALVES DYING FROM DEHYDRATION
Posted: September 5, 2010 at 5:41 a.m.
A herd of cows finds shade under a tree Tuesday on Old Wire Road in Bethel Heights.
Drought and sweltering heat have dried up nearly one-third of the ponds on Vernon Smiegelow’s Gravette farm. Much of his pasture has fried and aside from already feeding hay, he’s scrambling to keep eight newborn calves comfortable. The livestock were born three weeks early because of heat-related stress.
“Local farmers are really in need of a soaking rain over the next three weeks if they hope to see descent fescue forage for this fall. The pastures in western Benton County are hard and compacted. It will take about three inches or so for some of these fields to spring back enough for seeding rye or wheat.”
ROBERT SEAY Cooperative extension agent for Benton County
AT A GLANCE
DEALING WITH HEAT STRESS
Check pastures to prevent overgrazing, which can lead to reduced cattle performance.
Be ready to cull nonproductive or low-performance cattle if the dry weather continues.
Provide a good water supply as ponds and streams begin to dry.
Wean calves early which can help reduce a cow’s nutritional demands.
Ensure free choice salt and minerals are available.
SOURCE: WASHINGTON COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
This story is only available from the archives. Click here to contact the online desk.
Business, Pages 19 on 09/05/2010
(Advertisement)
« Previous Story
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CAMPUS UAMS Renovation Con...
“Northwest Arkansas pharmacists have been teaching our students for a long time, we just didn’t have the fullt... Read »
Next Story »
Bankruptcy watch
ALEXANDER David E. and Wanda J. Lee, 13421 W. Second St., Aug. 31, Chapter 13. ALMA Heath and Christina Trent, 523 Alma Drive, Sept. 1, Chapter 7. John Anthony and My Dung ... Read »
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.